Arthritis Awareness Month

Sue Kangas, PABy Sue Kangas, PA

Many of you may not know this, but May is Arthritis Awareness Month.

The Arthritis Foundation reports that 60 million men, women and children suffer in the US with this painful debilitating condition. Here are some basic facts about arthritis.

1 in 4 adults and hundreds of thousands of children have been diagnosed with a form of arthritis or illness related to it.

This is not just an “old persons” disease. Approximately two-thirds of people living with arthritis are age 65 or under.

There are over 100 types of arthritis and related rheumatic diseases. Osteoarthritis is the most common.

In the US, arthritis is the nations top cause of disability. It costs the US over 300 billion annually in lost wages, medical bills and associated expenses.

No matter what type of arthritis a person has there are things that a person can do to control their pain.

  1. Stay active: research shows physical activity improves function, delays disability, and helps to decrease pain. Strive for 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity activity. A great way to judge whether your activity is moderate in intensity, you can hold a conversation with someone but you cannot sing a song.
  2. Maintaining a healthy weight: this can limit the progression of arthritis. A modest weight loss of 5% for someone who is overweight can help reduce pain and disability. Theres also a four-pound reduction in the load exerted on the knees for every pound of weight loss. When we walk across level ground, the force on the knees is 1 ½ times our body weight. EX: a 200 pound person puts 300 pounds of pressure on the knees with each step.
  3. Protect you joints: Work or sports related injuries or repetitive motions can increase the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis.
  4. Learning to eat only anti-inflammatory foods reduces pain.

 

If you or a loved one suspects they have arthritis, connect with your primary care provider and get an individualized treatment plan.